Calgary, March 14, 2008 — The Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Industry, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, today announced funding to help 12 organizations deliver settlement services to thousands of immigrants in Calgary.
The new funding of $16.5 million is expected to help an estimated 5,000 newcomers to the area access language training to help them find jobs and integrate into their new community more easily.
“The Government of Canada is committed to helping newcomers settle and we want them to succeed,” said Minister Prentice. “Calgary has a growing immigrant community. This funding will help newcomers improve their language skills, one of the key factors in the transition to their new lives. Their success will strengthen Calgary and our country as a whole.”
Thanks to the support from Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), immigrants to Calgary will have access to expanded and targeted needs-based services that will assist them in their adjustment to life in Canada and their contribution to the work force and to society,” said Sharon Carry, President and CEO of Bow Valley College. “This funding will allow Bow Valley College and other agencies to continue offering the kind of English-as-a-Second-Language training and programs that truly make a difference in the lives of new immigrants and all Albertans.”
Settlement services are an essential part of the federal government’s immigration program. In 2006, the Government of Canada began investing an additional $1.4 billion over five years in settlement funding to provinces and territories outside of Quebec, which receives annual funding through a separate agreement. For 2008–;09, Alberta will be receiving over $47 million in basic settlement funding.
Newcomers can also look to the Foreign Credentials Referral Office (FCRO), which helps internationally trained individuals find the information they need to get their credentials assessed and recognized more quickly. Established in 2007, the FCRO provides information, path-finding and referral services to help internationally trained individuals use their skills in Canada. There are now 320 Service Canada centres across Canada offering in-person services to newcomers.
CIC funds a number of programs that help newcomers settle, adapt and integrate into Canadian society. These programs are delivered in partnership with provinces, territories and service-providing organizations and include the Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program, which provides orientation, referral and counselling services; Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada, which provides basic language training for adults; and the Host Program, which helps newcomers connect with volunteers who help them access services, establish contacts in their field of work and participate in the community.
For more information on CIC’s programs, consult our website at www.cic.gc.ca.
For further information (media only), please contact:
Tim Vail
Press Secretary
Minister’s Office
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-954-1064
Ann Lawler
Director, Communications
Prairies and Northern Territories Region
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
204-984-7814
